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00:00Usage and outside of the sack taken there on second down by McCarthy just overall really well executed two minute drive to get points and not give Green Bay an extra meaningful possession. Special teams department has to be feeling good about itself after the costume yesterday or last week they had that game one against Chicago before the blown kickoff coverage led to the game winning field goal. Today you have the two field goals from Reichardt had a great punt from Ryan Wright.
00:30They're saying don't speak too soon to get a cover of kickoff right here.
00:36By the way that 58 yarder right there the second longest field goal in Lambeau history.
00:42David Akers hit from 63 13 years ago. That's the second longest. Let's see what's coming up at halftime.
00:50Today's early slate could reshape the playoff picture. Coming up on the Verizon halftime we'll frame up the highlights including Colts and Chiefs and Steelers and Bears.
01:00And we'll prep the canvas for America's game of the week between the Eagles and Cowboys. We'll see you at the half.
01:07All right Kurt we're talking about this NFC North being upside down from last season. The Lions find themselves trailing against the Giants.
01:15Bears in a dogfight against the Steelers 14 to 14 in Chicago late in the first half.
01:20And here the Packers trying to solidify their position at the top of a very congested NFC North at 6 3 and 1.
01:28Just a half game back of the Lions in the win column and some boos from this Packers crowd.
01:32The lead but just kind of eh.
01:35Time to get more stats with Geico.
01:37And Emmanuel Wilson getting his first career start today with Josh Jacobs missing the game.
01:45Wilson's got 55 yards and some impressive runs as the Packers again relied on that ground game.
01:52We'll get you to Kurt Menefee in Los Angeles.
01:54The Verizon halftime which begins now.
01:57That was today's game flow presented by Progressive as we welcome it back to Green Bay, Wisconsin.
02:2610 to 6 the Packers in front.
02:30Numbers coming out of halftime.
02:31Neither one of these offenses really got a whole lot going.
02:34Both of them looking like intent on short in the ball game.
02:36Both about 140 yards and a 10-6 lead with the Packers scoring a touchdown on their first drive and just a field goal and two drives since.
02:44The Vikings relying on two long field goals from Will Riker to account for their scoring.
02:49And we welcome it back inside and kind of similar approaches here.
02:52On one side you totally get it.
02:54It's the Vikings trying to protect the young quarterback, trying to shorten this game.
02:57Packers have been okay offensively, but they've also, with that approach, kept the Vikings in the game.
03:02Yeah, and if you're Green Bay, you don't want to shorten the game.
03:05Right.
03:05It makes sense for Kevin O'Connell.
03:06It makes sense with McCarthy to really go run heavy.
03:09Most run heavy offense under Kevin O'Connell all season long.
03:13That makes sense.
03:14But for Matt LaFleur, again, just continue to trust Jordan Love.
03:18Continue to lean into this passing game.
03:20They need to have more than three possessions in a half.
03:23Savion Williams returns it for the Pack.
03:25And gets stopped shy at the 30.
03:28Let's go down to Pam Oliver.
03:30Well, they did a good job on special teams, did the Minnesota Vikings.
03:34I talked to Kevin O'Connell, just about his quarterback.
03:37He says he's doing a good job running the show, a couple of plays here and there that he could have lived without.
03:44Defensively, he said they need to get off of blocks and tackle better.
03:49As for Matt LaFleur, the question was, what is this thing going to come down to?
03:53He said, who possesses the ball, avoids turnovers, and on an injury note,
03:58we have Keyshawn Nixon won't return because of that stinger.
04:02Okay, Pam, Emmanuel Wilson, who had a big first half, 55 yards, has it on the first play of the second half.
04:08So, given what she heard from Matt LaFleur, that falls in line with what we saw in that first half.
04:13And in his defense, the goal of the game is to win the game, whatever you've got to do to finish with the most points.
04:20Outside, Wilson again, got by Murphy, got a first down.
04:25And so, I guess his defense would be, look, we got the lead, we're going to possess the ball, not turn it over.
04:31Before we do that, we're going to do the bottom line, win the game.
04:33Yeah, so I understand where both sides are coming from.
04:36And so often, for offensive-minded coaches, when your defense is playing as well as the Green Bay defense has played,
04:43it makes sense to say, all right, let's not put them in tough spots, let's not turn the ball over,
04:47let's make Minnesota's offense beat us.
04:50But I could also make the argument that the more aggressive and the faster you jump out,
04:55you force Minnesota to play a style they don't want to.
04:58Love looks to throw.
04:59Oh, he's got room to run if he wants to.
05:01He'll take off in Jordan Love one week after he had to go to the locker room for being a little bit too bullish
05:07as the runner goes out of bounds and is content with 13 yards.
05:13Yeah, not really known as a big scramble runner.
05:16He likes to scramble to stay alive as a passer.
05:20This time, they bring five.
05:21Nice job again by the backs in the line.
05:23There's just a ton of green grass out in front of Love, and he's just trying to get to that sideline as fast as he can.
05:31LaFleur said, he said to him, come on, man, last week.
05:34Like, I love the toughness, but you can't put yourself in those spots.
05:37Missed seven plays.
05:38Got x-rays on his shoulder.
05:40Turned out that he was okay.
05:41Wilson gets stopped in the backfield here by another Wilson.
05:46Eric stopping Emmanuel.
05:50Early on, second half.
05:52Packers try to get to 7-3-1.
05:54You got the Bears down 21-17 at halftime against the Steelers.
05:58The Lions down 20-17 against the Giants coming out of the break.
06:02Big opportunity here for the Pack as they start this critical stretch of their schedule with three in a row against the division,
06:08including on Thursday on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
06:12Five of their last seven come against the NFC North.
06:16Remember, last year, just one and five in division games.
06:22Second and long, Vikings showing blitz.
06:25They bail out of it.
06:26Love, collapsing pocket, throws it backwards for Brooks.
06:29Brooks can't get away from Van Ginkle, and he'll lose four.
06:35Third and 15 coming here for Green Bay.
06:40Here's the schedule we're talking about.
06:42So much of last season with the Vikings and the Lions pulling away had to do with the Packers not being able to win games in the division.
06:49And just the way the schedule's set up this year, they've only played the one game and have it all stacked up down the stretch.
06:55Last season, Vikings, Lions both 14-plus wins.
06:59This year, they're down at the bottom of the division, Lions 6-4 and trailing today.
07:05How about them?
07:05Bears at 7-3.
07:08The first season under Ben Johnson.
07:11Third and long.
07:13Love steps up over the middle, incomplete, at the feet of Wicks.
07:17And the Vikings force a punt on the first drive of the second half.
07:23It all starts with getting Green Bay off track on first down.
07:28It's something that this Flores-led Vikings defense is so good at.
07:32Tackles for loss, tackles for no gain.
07:34And you get into second and long, third and long.
07:37Now they get all that dial-up, the pressure.
07:39Who's at the line of scrimmage and blitzing?
07:41Who's at the line of scrimmage and dropping?
07:43That's the calling card of this scheme.
07:45And you just don't want to play back-to-back passing downs against this Vikings defense.
07:52Whelan to punt it.
07:53Price will have it bounce over his head inside the 10.
07:58And it hits off him.
08:00It's free.
08:01Who's got it?
08:02Oh, mistake you cannot make.
08:07What in the world was he doing?
08:10Packers say they have it.
08:11Vikings say, no, we do.
08:15Let's get the verdict.
08:20That ball's probably changed hands seven times at the bottom of that pile.
08:24It's Packers football.
08:27Oh, no.
08:29He just can't do that.
08:31So here's what Miles Price is thinking.
08:33He said, okay, I clearly let the ball go over my head.
08:36And now I'm going to go block the nearest Green Bay coverage player so he doesn't down the ball.
08:43And subsequently recovered by the kickers.
08:47First down, Green Bay.
08:49So what happens there is you lose track, though, and they teach the coverage guys,
08:53run the receiving team into the ball, push them.
08:57So that's got to be a beater call, a poison call.
09:00There's a lot of words that these teams use, which means just get away from the ball.
09:05The defense just gets a big stop.
09:07And now they've got to take the field again first and goal.
09:09From the five.
09:11From the five.
09:15Wilson.
09:17To the one.
09:19How do you go from 14 wins to four and six year over year?
09:24Biggest reason is you go from third in turnover margin to 31st.
09:28They're now minus 10.
09:30It's just bad ball.
09:33Again, you understand what you're trying to do.
09:34You're trying to make the perfect play, which is, hey, block the nearest cover.
09:37Let it be a touchback.
09:39But, man, just get out of the way of the ball.
09:41Let your offense earn the right to fight that field position.
09:45And just put your team at such a bad spot on the road.
09:51Second and goal.
09:55Wilson again reaches for the goal line.
09:58Packers make them pay.
10:03Second touchdown for Emmanuel Wilson.
10:06And it's a two-score lead for Green Bay.
10:08And it's the second week in a row the Vikings have made a critical special teams there.
10:16Yeah, take a look here.
10:17You see Wilson.
10:18He's laying on top of Isaiah Rogers.
10:20Number two.
10:22The second really good goal line effort we've seen in this game by Emmanuel Wilson.
10:27Brandon McManus to add the extra point.
10:44Almost got blocked, but it is through.
10:46And it's 17-6.
10:48The Vikings had exactly what they wanted.
10:50They got a stop on the first drive of the second half.
10:53But then Price, the rookie, gives it right back.
10:56Two plays later.
10:58Wilson's into the end zone.
11:00Packers trying to get to 7-3.
11:04And they've got them dancing at Lambeau.
11:11Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.
11:12It's not just an NFC North showdown.
11:15It's 12-time Grammy winner Jack White headlining the halftime show.
11:18Powered by Verizon.
11:20Kickoffs at 1 Eastern right here on Fox.
11:22Packers up by two scores for the first time today.
11:26Miles Price, chance at redemption right here.
11:29On the kick return, crosses the 30.
11:33Yeah, the Vikings, J.J. McCarthy, will have their first drive of the second half from the 33.
11:37Yeah, so looking back over the last couple weeks, and really his entire career, going back to college,
11:43the struggles throwing to his left, his closed side.
11:47He gets real long with his stride.
11:49That back foot really swings up off the ground, and his shoulders fly open.
11:54It's led to him being a below 50% thrower down to the left today.
11:58And it's in accordance with what Kevin O'Connell has told us.
12:02He says, in practice, he's made a lot of growth in that exact area.
12:06We want to see it carry over, and we saw some glimpses of it in the first half.
12:11Second half begins with a throw.
12:13That was the intention, and Micah Parsons had other plans.
12:19Nine sacks this year for Micah Parsons.
12:21Yeah, this ball just needs to come out.
12:28They're setting up a little swing out here.
12:30Ham becomes the lead blocker to Aaron Jones, and this ball, they're just not expecting this ball to be held this long.
12:36Christian Darasaw oversets Micah Parsons, thinking it's a quick passing game, and ball just needs to come out.
12:47Second sack of the day for the Packers.
12:49Second and 17 for the Vikings.
12:51Hawkinson's got it.
12:55Pummeled right away.
12:57Kamal Haddon, along with Edger and Cooper.
12:59Today, they've not asked nearly as much of him.
13:01The most run-heavy first half in Kevin O'Connell's four seasons, but when they have, it's looked better.
13:07Yeah, he's got a better base.
13:08You see that front left shoulder is a little closed.
13:11It's okay if his lower half is open to his throw.
13:14That hip-shoulder separation.
13:16I want to keep that front side closed as long as you can.
13:20See if he's got a big play in him on third and long.
13:22Against a four-man rush.
13:24McCarthy in trouble.
13:25Shovels it off to Hawkinson.
13:28Broke one tackle, but that was it.
13:29Spilled by Evan Williams.
13:31And the first down sack dooms the drive.
13:34Here comes the punt team.
13:35You know, at the top of the broadcast, we talked how they don't always want him thinking he has to take the deep shot.
13:48But take a look here.
13:49They're going to go post, and then Jefferson's going to run a dig.
13:52That safety sits down.
13:54That ball needs to be thrown up over the top, one-on-one to the far hash.
13:59It's either an arm punt, a deep completion, or you end up fourth down anyway.
14:04But give your guy a shot.
14:06Wright had a great punt in the first half.
14:09This is another good one here over Dobbs' head inside the 10.
14:12And down to the 8-yard line.
14:16Ryan Wright continues to do his job.
14:1856 yards right here, backing the Packers up.
14:20Well, the Packers, with a two-score lead, have the ball back at their own eight-yard line.
14:27Trying to end a little two-game losing streak here at Lambeau.
14:30Why are you talking about a two-game losing streak?
14:32Well, it's been a long time since they've lost three straight here.
14:35And trying to beat the Vikings at Lambeau for the first time in three years.
14:43Chris Wilson, or Chris Brooks, in there running back to start this drive.
14:48He's got it.
14:53And that power's ahead for five.
14:54Stopped by Jalen Redman.
14:56It just feels like if Minnesota's going to find their way back into this game here in the second half,
15:02this defense is going to have to get back to their spark plays, right?
15:05What they've hung their hat on for a long time.
15:08Take the ball away.
15:09Force a fumble.
15:10Pick a ball off.
15:12Strip sack.
15:12Just something to flip this game, because in a neutral possession-for-possession game,
15:18if that's how it remains the rest of this half,
15:21with the way this Minnesota offense is played,
15:23I just don't see where the points come from and playing from behind.
15:28Shovel it off to Savion Williams.
15:31And a short game.
15:32Again, it's Jalen Redman there to push him out of bounds.
15:3533 takeaways last year.
15:36Number one in the NFL.
15:38Nine this year.
15:39Zero their last three games.
15:41Yeah, and they had five in the week three game against Cincinnati.
15:45So in every game since then, other than that, they've had four combined.
15:48So obviously a big kind of missing piece of what's always been the main kind of factors in this Flores defense.
15:57And, you know, we asked him about it.
15:59He said, you know, we stress it.
16:01We work on it.
16:02We talk about it.
16:02Some years they come in bunches, and they become contagious.
16:05And in other years, you can't buy one.
16:08Won both games against the Packers last year largely because of that.
16:11They had five takeaways in the two games.
16:13Timeout coming here from Jordan Love.
16:15Just before that play clock ran out.
16:17Head of this third and five play.
16:19And we'll be back right after these messages.
16:24Third down and five for the Packers.
16:27The topic of takeaways.
16:29The top five in the NFL this year at avoiding them.
16:31Just seven turnovers for the Packers over their first ten games.
16:42Five for eight on third down today.
16:44Top third down offense in the league.
16:46Love off his back foot.
16:48Floats it up for Watson, who's got a first down against Rodgers.
16:52Second time today that under pressure on third down, Love has made a play like that.
16:57Yeah, and it's just his ability to understand who he's responsible for, who the back is responsible for.
17:03They're going to go hurry up here and keep this personnel grouping of Minnesota on the field.
17:11Vikings showing blitz.
17:14What's new?
17:15This time they're bringing it.
17:17Love sideline.
17:18Watson again goes down to catch it.
17:20Christian Watson, who tore his ACL in the final game last year, came back at the end of October, had the two touchdowns last week.
17:30Really coming to life and giving this offense that vertical big play threat that they've lacked as they've dealt with so many big injuries this year.
17:38Love to run it on first down, and he'll slide down, get what he can.
17:44It's a couple.
17:45With all the talk, though, about Minnesota's ability to pressure the quarterback and the last couple times over the years that they've played Jordan Love,
17:52they've blitzed him, and now Metellus is slow to get up again.
17:56This time it looks like he's holding his left shoulder.
18:01It was his left leg that he hurt in the first half.
18:08You know, I kind of finished what we were talking about.
18:10When you look at the career of Jordan Love, the games where he's faced the highest amount of blitz pressure
18:15has really been in his time against the Vikings, and they have not really gotten down.
18:20Coming into the game, out of his 100 dropbacks against Minnesota, they only sacked him five times,
18:25and you've seen him make a lot of plays today under pressure, understanding who's unblocked, who's free,
18:31and he's beaten a lot of this blitz package with the ball by just getting it out on time.
18:36That's been one of the categories that overall this year he's made the biggest leaps.
18:40He's the number one passer in the NFL against the blitz.
18:43Now, part of that was Tucker Craft, was that safety valve having to find different ways to do it, especially today.
18:48No Jacobs, he's part of the safety valve options.
18:52Wilson straight ahead here, makes it third and short.
18:55Doing what the game calls for, doing what the Packers need.
18:59Jordan Love in his third season as the starter.
19:01Yeah, so something that we're kind of keeping an eye on up here.
19:08By our count, this is the third time Jordan Love has handed the ball off with, I guess we'll call it the wrong hand.
19:15You know, typically if you're opening up to that side, you would hand the ball off with your left hand.
19:19He's done it on both Wilson's touchdowns, and now he just did it again.
19:23Something we're going to keep an eye on.
19:25Third and one, work him out of the gun.
19:28Five minutes to go in this third quarter.
19:30Wilson got crunched in the backfield.
19:33Eric Wilson blows it up and has returned to Green Bay.
19:37A tackle for a three-yard loss.
19:42It's a great job here.
19:44You can see by Wilson, he's just going to shoot the A-gap.
19:46He gets a run read, and just a wrong declaration by the Green Bay offensive line.
19:52They're taking their double teams to Cashman, and nobody has Wilson accounted for.
19:57And he just pulls the trigger as a run-through player, and boy, they needed that stop.
20:03This defense has given them all they've got.
20:05They've done great.
20:06I mean, if it wasn't for the botched punt on the previous possession, they'd be in good shape.
20:10Price, fair catch, makes the catch.
20:21Vikings will have it after this break.
20:26Kevin O'Connell in his fourth season as the head coach of the Vikings, former quarterback himself,
20:32drafted by the Patriots back in 2008.
20:34He was Tom Brady's backup for a couple years, but has made his name as a coach,
20:38as the guy that has the best ability of anybody to bring out the best in whoever his quarterback is.
20:44Yeah, he's been known as the quarterback whisperer these last couple years.
20:47He's done it with seven different quarterbacks starting multiple games over the years,
20:52and this has obviously been the most difficult season thus far.
20:56Aaron Jones pulled down in the backfield by Evan Williams,
21:00ended the last drive with a tackle, and begins this one with one for a loss.
21:04How soon do the Vikings have to shift what is clear of the plan today,
21:09and that is to take the pressure off of J.J. McCarthy and run the ball more than they have all year.
21:13Down 11 here with four minutes left.
21:16I don't think they can wait too much longer, right?
21:17The ability to play this style, you can only play it as long as the defense allows.
21:23Now, the defense has allowed Kevin O'Connell to call the game the way he has,
21:27and it's really just been shifted on the fourth down muffed punt situation that gave Green Bay a free touchdown.
21:33That's what's caused this to become a two-score game.
21:35Fake the toss.
21:36Parsons is coming, and he's got his second sack of this third quarter.
21:42This guy gets double-teamed more than anybody,
21:45and still gets to the quarterback more than anybody.
21:49Yeah, so this is a combination of just quick pressure.
21:52Last time, he beat Christian Darasaw inside.
21:55This time, he just runs the hoop along the outside.
21:58But this little play pass, they're going to pull the backside guard, Donovan Jackson.
22:03This ball is designed right now.
22:05This ball has to come out of his hand.
22:07It's just a little fake pitch.
22:08That's the play-action element, and he just can't hold the ball.
22:17Third and a mile.
22:18They line him up at linebacker here, and he just barrels his way in there,
22:21and Devontae Wyatt has a sack of his own.
22:26McCarthy just got out of the end zone,
22:28but a disaster of a drive for the Vikings.
22:31Back-to-back sacks, and four total for the Packers today.
22:39How would you like to be Ryan Kelly?
22:41You're back from injury.
22:42You're excited to play.
22:43Watch what Micah Parsons does.
22:45Oh, he just blows up the entire interior,
22:49and whether it's Rashawn Gary or this time Wyatt,
22:53there's a lot of sacks that are being given to other defenders
22:56that are caused by Micah Parsons.
22:59And now out of his own end zone, right.
23:02Trying to do his best to shift the field.
23:05Dobbs will have a chance from the 40.
23:07Romeo Dobbs put that ball away.
23:10Tackle to the 45-yard line by Theo Jackson.
23:1459-yard.
23:14But it's another good one from right.
23:16The Vikings' defense has kept him in the game,
23:19but how much can you ask of the unit?
23:21They're back out there with the ball near midfield.
23:24The Packers' defense, one of the best in the NFL,
23:26flexing again.
23:27The last time the Packers dropped three games in a row
23:33at Lambeau against Minnesota.
23:361970s trying to put an end to that two-game,
23:38two-year losing streak against the Vikings,
23:40and they lead 17-6 with the ball.
23:43At the 45, Love hands it off to Wilson.
23:46Spunoff Van Ginko kept on going,
23:48and Emmanuel Wilson is ahead of the 45
23:51with another first down.
23:53And getting close to his career high,
23:55close to 80 on the day as he makes his first start
23:58and makes quite an impression, I think.
24:00Yeah, I'll tell you, he's had some day,
24:02and the vast majority of his yards
24:04are coming after contact.
24:06They bring Harrison Smith off the edge,
24:08so Van Ginko is unblocked,
24:10and Emmanuel Wilson just runs right through him.
24:13But I feel like we've said that
24:14four or five times where they have Wilson contacted
24:17at or near the line of scrimmage.
24:19They just can't get him to the ground.
24:20How about this?
24:21He's at 78 yards.
24:2260 of them have come after contact.
24:24That's what it feels like.
24:25And those 78 yards, a new career high for Wilson,
24:28who's got it again here.
24:30Keeps the legs churning and gets six yards.
24:33And we touched on his story a little bit
24:34in the first half, but it is a really good one.
24:37And, you know, as a Division II guy,
24:39you just hope for an opportunity,
24:40no matter how great your Division II career.
24:43And he gets into an NFL camp,
24:45and as soon as he gets there, he gets dumped.
24:47And he said he was crying when he called his mom
24:49and said, this is it.
24:50I've had a great football career.
24:52Packers give him a chance.
24:53At that point, again, even if you're done then,
24:56what a run you've had from Division II to get to be in an NFL camp.
25:00Well, he's found a way to stick around.
25:02And at this point, forget about whether you were drafted or not.
25:05The impression's been made.
25:07Emmanuel Wilson making a name for himself.
25:10Continue to feed him.
25:13Right side of that line opens up a massive hole.
25:16And he's inside the 30.
25:19And he's over 90 yards for the day.
25:21And this offensive line, which has dealt with injuries all year
25:25and has struggled, also deserves some credit.
25:28Yeah, one of the big struggles that they've had coming into the game
25:30was their inability to run the ball on first and second down.
25:34You know, people were kind of getting after the floor
25:36the last couple weeks, like, hey, you're running it too much
25:39for the lack of production that you're getting.
25:42And today, certainly a different animal.
25:45Can't imagine they snap this.
25:47Got to imagine they're happy taking a 17-6 lead into the fourth.
25:51And that is what they'll do.
25:53Oh, the Packers starting the tough stretch to finish off the season.
25:59Have the lead by two scores as we go to the fourth at Lambeau.
26:03Packers scored a touchdown on their first drive today.
26:10Have not trailed.
26:1117-6.
26:12They're on the move as the fourth quarter begins.
26:15First down from the 29.
26:17Emmanuel Wilson having a career day.
26:20Will go over 100 yards for the first time.
26:23To the 18-yard line goes Emmanuel Wilson
26:26with the first 100-yard rushing day for a Packer in a calendar year.
26:31Again, they bring in Kennard, the big jumbo, number 70,
26:34as the extra tight end.
26:36They've done that more today than they have in any game all season.
26:39And right now with an 11-point lead,
26:43it doesn't seem like no matter what the Vikings throw,
26:45they're blitzing guys.
26:46They've got five, six men at the line of scrimmage.
26:48They just playing from behind.
26:51Green Bay can just run it right at them.
26:52Why not?
26:58Wilson again rides a surge over the left side of that line.
27:04Well, this week, NFL players are wearing custom cleats
27:07through My Cause, My Cleats
27:09to spotlight the causes closest to their hearts.
27:11You can go to NFL.com slash My Cause, My Cleats
27:14to learn their stories, to pit on the cleats,
27:16and support the charities that are making a difference
27:18in their communities.
27:21Cool ones, huh?
27:23That's awesome.
27:24I mean, it's so cool.
27:25The NFL gives such a great platform
27:26to the players, the coaches.
27:28There's a lot of coaches around the league
27:30who get their shoes all custom done
27:32for causes that are special to them.
27:34It was something that started towards the end of my career.
27:37Chris Brooks' time.
27:39Stopped by Hargrave.
27:40Third and two.
27:40He handed the ball off again with his inside hand.
27:44It's the new thing.
27:45Yeah.
27:46I cannot wait to ask Matt LaFleur why.
27:49Because, you know, you see quarterbacks
27:51have done this over the years
27:52if they're dealing with an injury to the other hand,
27:54a jammed thumb, a bad...
27:56But we have seen him hand the ball off
27:58with his left hand kind of intermittently
28:00here throughout the game, so...
28:03And again, it was his left shoulder
28:05that he hurt last week.
28:06Number one, you wouldn't think that that injury
28:08would force you to go away from handing it off
28:10with your left hand, but number two, like you said,
28:12we've seen it done both ways today.
28:15Vikings got to get another stop here
28:16for us to field goal.
28:17Keep it a two-possession game.
28:19Wilson stopped by Jalen Redman,
28:21who we've not had a chance to talk a ton about today.
28:24But everybody you talk to on both staffs,
28:26he's the first name they bring up.
28:29Got him out of the UFL.
28:30Undrafted.
28:31Last spot on the roster.
28:33They would argue he's been their best player.
28:35When you ask them,
28:36he is the first name that is brought up
28:38by not only the Vikings coaches,
28:40but the opposing coaches.
28:42We asked Matt LaFleur,
28:43hey, tell us about this Flores defense.
28:45Redman was the first guy that he mentioned.
28:48Separate conversation.
28:50I don't love how conservative.
28:51They had a chance to make the knockout punch here,
28:53make this an 18-point game,
28:55and now they settle for a field goal
28:58and keep it at 14, assuming he makes it.
29:00Third down play call or decision to not go for it here?
29:04No, I think the whole drive was very conservative.
29:06I know Wilson was having a lot of run.
29:08We'll talk about it.
29:09We got a lot to unpack when we get back.
29:11Just a few days away,
29:16the John Madden Thanksgiving celebration.
29:18And the biggest game of the day is right here on Fox.
29:20Jordan Love and these Packers,
29:22Jared Goff and the Lions.
29:24Coverage starts at 11 a.m. Eastern.
29:26That's the pregame show to be on location in the Motor City.
29:29And on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day on Fox.
29:32Is that a turducken on her shirt?
29:34Is that just the turkey?
29:35You better bet you it's going to be a turducken on the Olsen family play.
29:38You'll believe that.
29:39Here's Miles Price on the return,
29:42spinning away, getting pursued from behind and stopped.
29:47Well, the doppel with a tackle.
29:50And in a 14-point game, the Vikings go back on offense.
29:53You said there was a lot to unpack.
29:55I'll let you begin to do that.
29:56Right, so you understand.
29:57If you're on the Green Bay sideline,
29:59from what you've seen so far,
30:00you know, a 14-point lead seems insurmountable,
30:04although we have seen in the fourth quarter
30:06J.J. McCarthy come to life a little bit.
30:08A couple come-from-behind wins early in his career.
30:11So certainly far from over.
30:13But you have a shot there to be aggressive.
30:17He didn't throw the ball one time, seven straight runs.
30:19You could have made it an 18-point game.
30:21Three scores with a touchdown.
30:23Instead, remains a two-score game.
30:25It remains alive, if just barely.
30:28These Vikings, Mason,
30:29escaped Parsons, but could not get away from Colby Wooden.
30:35And this Packers defense wreaking havoc.
30:38Say all you will about the Vikings' offense and their struggles,
30:40but this is pretty much every week Jeff Halfley's bunch dominates.
30:43Yeah, and you're gonna continue to hear Jeff Halfley's name on the short list
30:49for a lot of these job openings that are already around the league,
30:52that are already open, and also ones that inevitably will open when the season ends.
30:56And we've talked a lot, you and I, about offensive coaches versus defensive coaches.
31:01But at the end of the day, what Halfley has done in his short time here,
31:04he's been a head coach before at the college level.
31:08You have to be really impressed with what he's done
31:10with this Green Bay unit all year long.
31:13Four years as the head man at Boston College.
31:15Flags fly here.
31:17Play clock was winding out.
31:18Offensive line was moving.
31:19Take a pick.
31:21Either way, it's a penalty.
31:24And in the second half for the Vikings,
31:26yeah, you have the special teams disaster of a play that bounced off Miles Price,
31:30but the offense has run seven plays, five of them negative yards.
31:36Yeah, and at some point, I understand completely right now
31:40what Kevin O'Connell is going through.
31:42He's trying not to throw his young quarterback to the Wolves
31:44against a good defense on the road,
31:46but at some point, you've got to play NFL football.
31:49You've got to let it rip.
31:50You're down 14 in the fourth quarter.
31:52That point has arrived here.
31:54Thielen drops it.
31:56The Vikings, the highest drop percentage for any team in a decade.
32:06Part of that is McCarthy throws the ball really hard.
32:09But, hey, he's already struggling enough.
32:11Needs every bit of help he can get.
32:13Third and 17.
32:17Parsons getting a running start from linebacker.
32:34He's picked up this time.
32:36Gary able to get there.
32:38Couldn't get him down, though.
32:39Now McCarthy takes another sack.
32:41Devontae Wyatt, second of the game.
32:44He's doubled his season total, and the pack has picked up five of them.
32:54This pass rush now, now just gets to attack these heavy pass situations.
32:59Moving Micah Parsons around, it just causes such chaos along the front.
33:05Gary just slightly misses, and now Wyatt,
33:07he just gets to keep cleaning up the pressure
33:09the rest of this Green Bay front and just nowhere for McCarthy to go
33:14and just continues to hold the ball a little too long.
33:17Fourth down and ugly.
33:22Right spun to Dobbs.
33:25Catches it with two hands.
33:27Like he's a receiver.
33:29Yeah, he scoots down the sideline to the 40.
33:31McCarthy.
33:35McCarthy, just nine out of 14 today.
33:38A drop, and then another sack.
33:41More plays for negative yards than positive yards
33:44in the second half for Minnesota.
33:49Well, for Minnesota in the second half,
33:51three drives, three-three, and now it's minus 22 total yards.
33:55Out of that has been the sacks.
33:56Now five total for Green Bay.
33:59And the frustrations for Jefferson and the Vikings
34:01and their fans across the world continue here from the 40.
34:05Love off play action.
34:07Will dump it over the top.
34:09And John Fitzpatrick crashing ahead for a first down.
34:16John Fitzpatrick, two catches his first three years in the league.
34:19That's his seventh one this year.
34:21Clearly, they're just selling out Van Ginkle.
34:23He knows he's got to get this edge set.
34:27Fitzpatrick just blocks, blocks, and then just releases.
34:30And right now, Matt LaFleur can pretty much call anything he wants.
34:36This Vikings defense is reeling really ever since that muffed punt.
34:41And the score's probably not indicative of how they've played,
34:44but they're in a tough spot right now.
34:48And everybody moved except the center with the ball.
34:53That's one of those where, like, the entire team is offsides, and you're just like,
35:03please don't call my name.
35:05Yeah, right.
35:05Don't call my number.
35:06Don't call my number.
35:06Why are you picking on me?
35:08It's like, the whole team jumped.
35:09Why does it have to go in the box score that just had a nice first down on the
35:13previous play?
35:14You gotta call me for offsides when literally the entire team jumped.
35:17Seeing how bad Minnesota's offense has continued to struggle and how much Green Bay's defense
35:22has continued to dominate, does that make you at all more like the way that Matt LaFleur
35:26and the offense have approached the game stylistically as they dump this one off here
35:30and a nice one-headed catch by Josh Wiley?
35:32Doesn't get much.
35:33Yeah, so I think that the simple answer is yes, right?
35:37You can play a more conservative offensive approach when you know the opposing team's
35:41threat to score.
35:42I mean, today probably the threat to score 10 feels like a lot, you know, let alone in
35:47the 20s, which is typically what the goal is of NFL defenses.
35:51You keep people under low 20s and teens.
35:53You're gonna win a lot of games.
35:54But as the year goes on, the better you play offensively, the more you attack.
35:59I think Jordan Love's been really efficient today.
36:02The more points you score early, you can get your opponent out of that real conservative
36:07approach quickly and put them behind the sticks of what they want to be.
36:13Second and long, Love will throw it again.
36:15Watson, did he have it before he stepped out?
36:18Looks like he did.
36:19Watson against Rodgers, sets up third down and about three.
36:23Frustrating season for the Vikings.
36:28Big expectations.
36:29Another frustrating day today, Pam.
36:31Yes, Joe, but you're not seeing any outwardly frustration from down here.
36:37You may have heard J.J. McCarthy thank his teammates for having patience with him.
36:41He reiterated that when I spoke to him before the game, and I'll continue in a moment.
36:46Headed his third and three play with 8.20 to go.
36:49He said it means the world to him.
36:54Look, I'm 22 playing in the NFL, he said.
36:58He told me the veteran's attitude is also a sign of the culture Kevin O'Connell has established.
37:04McCarthy's so appreciative of players like 12-year veteran Adam Thielen.
37:08He told me, probably not for that drop though, Thielen told me what makes it easy to be patient is the fact that McCarthy had so much potential.
37:16If he didn't, it may be different.
37:19McCarthy told us that Justin Jefferson invited him over to his house to hang out Wednesday night after dinner.
37:24He said, look, he said, look, this is one of the most popular athletes in the world, pretty easy to stay comfortable.
37:29You know, you have a guy like that in your corner sharing his own struggles, inviting him, he said, to be vulnerable with his own and boy frustrations and the patience can only last so long though.
37:42Our Fox NFL doubleheader continues next with America's Game of the Week Eagles and Cowboys in an NFC showdown or the Falcons and the Saints.
37:54You can check your local listings for the game in your area right here on Fox to go from the north to the east.
38:01Price, defending champion against the Cowboys, who are still lurking there.
38:05I know it's not the overall record pretty, but still a dangerous team, as Packers found out at overtime tie game, 40-40 game earlier this year.
38:19So after the field goal, McManus will kick it.
38:21Price and Felton wait back.
38:26Price will take a knee.
38:307.36 to go.
38:34Mike Parsons a well-deserved little break right here.
38:37He has wreaked havoc with his defense, especially in the second half.
38:40Yeah, he just changes everything.
38:43He's really been doing it all season long.
38:45And, you know, everyone talks about what he does in the passing game.
38:48And, of course, it's easy to see those splash plays, the sacks, the ability to move him to all levels.
38:53But he's just as effective disrupting the run game.
38:56And I think it's an element probably of his game that doesn't get enough conversation.
39:00And, you know, he's truly one of the elite players in all of football, regardless of which side of the ball he plays.
39:07Coins Reggie White as the only guys in NFL history.
39:10Double-digit sacks five straight seasons to start his career.
39:13Rashawn Gary gets there this time and forces an interception.
39:17Gary got his hand on it, and Isaiah McDuffie picked it off.
39:20So even with no Parsons on the field, the Packers still get to J.J. McCarthy.
39:34And it's Gary who's benefited as much as anybody from the ejection of Parsons.
39:38Yeah, Rashawn Gary just runs the wide side.
39:42Christian Darasaw, the starting left tackle, he's out of the game.
39:46So they go and they pick on his backup just in school.
39:49And just everything that completely go wrong for the Vikings offensively today has now gone wrong.
39:59The second half has been one of the worst halves of football I've ever watched.
40:04You know, in history, this is historically bad ball.
40:08And, you know, I think if you're a Vikings fan, there's some larger conversations at play here with, you know, they went all in on free agency.
40:18Only the Patriots spent more.
40:20They felt like this roster was good enough to compete for a championship.
40:24And in the second half, the offense nine plays, minus 21 yards.
40:29Two turnovers, the one from the offense, the one from the special teams.
40:33And they say the runner was down four.
40:35Progress was stopped before the ball came out there.
40:37It is so far from looking like a team that invested like that.
40:40Yeah, so you go back to those decisions.
40:42So you back up and you say, okay, you let Sam Darnold go in free agency.
40:46You also have Daniel Jones in the building.
40:49All the conversations appear to be that they did try to re-sign him.
40:52He chose to go to Indianapolis, felt he had a better chance of beating out Anthony Richardson.
40:57Obviously, that turned out to be a great move for Daniel Jones.
41:00And they went all in on J.J. McCarthy.
41:02They felt with the offensive line and the skill players and this defense.
41:06And with Kevin O'Connell as a coach, he's proven he can really do wonders regardless of who's that quarterback.
41:12You put all that into the bucket and you spend the second most money in free agency to go all in if they don't have their quarterback.
41:20And again, this is six games.
41:22There's still time to kind of flush all this out.
41:24But at this moment right now, Vikings fans in the front office, they have to start asking themselves,
41:30if this doesn't get better and we don't get better offensive production, we are in tough cap situation.
41:37These contracts are going to continue to hold this down and just in a bad spot.
41:42Now, the 300 million in contracts that they handed out in the offseason, that was more than any other team in the NFC.
41:48You do that when you're saying we are right there ready to win the whole thing.
41:51Absolutely.
41:57Timeout before that play clock runs out.
42:00We'll be back after a break and a message from State Farm.
42:03Having insurance isn't the same as having State Farm.
42:08It's like needing the leadership of this captain.
42:10But getting that captain.
42:12Eyes by motion on the port side!
42:14What?
42:16Ha ha!
42:18Erg!
42:19Erg!
42:20Missed again!
42:21Imagine gifts!
42:22What are we doing?
42:24So don't settle for just any insurance when there's State Farm.
42:27Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
42:30All squirrels are coming!
42:34On the other side, we started the day by saying this Green Bay team seems a little bit hard to figure out.
42:39Today they've done what they've had to.
42:40The defense has taken over.
42:4223-6 they lead.
42:43The Lions are losing again.
42:4527-17 against the Giants.
42:47Well, the Bears have taken a 10-point lead over the Steelers,
42:50but the division right there for the Packers,
42:52who are on the verge of going to 7-3-1.
42:55Get, get, get, get, get!
42:57Hey!
42:58Hey!
42:59Hey!
43:00Hey!
43:01Third and nine out of the timeout here.
43:03Three to snap it.
43:05Just get it off.
43:06Pressure coming.
43:07Picked up.
43:08Love downfield into traffic and incomplete.
43:11Almost kicked off.
43:12Three defenders around Ontavian Wicks there.
43:15And it's fourth down.
43:18You heard that audio at the line of scrimmage.
43:20I mean, Jordan Love, he about moved the protection about four times.
43:23He said, Ridge, Ridge, then he took it back, which means, you know,
43:25any of those words, of course, means you're taking it to the right.
43:28Then he wanted to move it back to Cashman on the left.
43:31A lot of pre-snap movement there, and that's what this Vikings defensive front
43:36can do to a quarterback.
43:37But when you bring up Green Bay, I mean, this division is right there for the
43:42taking to win this division.
43:44You mentioned Detroit's not playing as well as they have.
43:47And the way this defense is playing, and Jordan Love at quarterback,
43:51it's a really good combination.
43:56Miles Price shouting with all.
43:58He's got his lungs right there.
43:59He's never going to get close to a loose ball or punt again.
44:03We welcome you inside.
44:05Happy early Thanksgiving.
44:07Some places are starting the holiday week, right?
44:09Some schools have no school tomorrow, and off we go.
44:11Happy Thanksgiving to you.
44:13Happy Thanksgiving to you, buddy.
44:14You've got your son here today.
44:15How fun is that?
44:16It's been great.
44:17Family outing with the Davises.
44:19Yeah, how about we're talking about this division, though?
44:21Everybody knew that the North would be tough.
44:23I think people thought the Bears could be a factor,
44:26but the fact that they're pacing the whole thing, it's fascinating.
44:29Yeah, the power of coaching.
44:30Ben Johnson, he was the bell of the ball for the last couple hiring cycles,
44:34and a lot of people, you know, where is he going to land?
44:36He's being very selective on the job he ultimately takes.
44:39Of course, has a lot of faith in Caleb Williams and that Bears roster that he inherited.
44:44And I think people thought they'd get better.
44:46I don't know if people thought they'd get better that quickly.
44:48Into the hands of Jefferson here.
44:49He's got eight.
44:51Packers still have to face the Bears twice.
44:55We'll get them December 7th here, and then they'll go to Chicago December 20th.
45:00This back-loaded NFC North schedule.
45:03Just one game they've played in the division.
45:06Week one against Detroit, where they got the win.
45:11Jones has a first down.
45:12We get a game break with Carissa.
45:14Thank you so much, Joe.
45:15You guys were just talking about the Bears.
45:16Green Bay won't like this.
45:17They're up three on Pittsburgh.
45:19Kyle Menungai takes it right up the middle for the score.
45:21Bears up by ten over the Steelers.
45:24Nice job.
45:26Yeah, no, it's that's way too big a lead.
45:29They got to get a little closer there.
45:31It's way too easy.
45:32They got a lot of fourth-quarter magic in Chicago.
45:34Oh, he seems to come down to the last play for Chicago.
45:38McCarthy hangs in that pocket, now runs.
45:42Blocked from Hawkinson.
45:43And McCarthy slammed down by McDuffie.
45:50Winson as he gets up under five to play.
45:55All right, so you know what you do to Micah Parsons?
45:58You just block him with everybody on the entire team.
46:01So, look.
46:02So, it starts with Brian O'Neal, then Will Fries.
46:05The back gets involved.
46:06They said, listen, anybody else can sack us.
46:09We are going to block Micah Parsons.
46:11So, good adjustment there, and it turns out three guys is enough.
46:15It's like he saw that.
46:16He's like, okay, this is not fair.
46:17Like, I'm going to take this one off.
46:19More pressure coming here.
46:20Hawkinson stepped by Javon Bullard for a quick update.
46:25Down to Pam.
46:26Yeah, Joe, the left side of the Vikings' offensive line is out.
46:29Left tackle Christian Derisaw has a foot injury.
46:32Left guard Donovan Jackson, he's got an ankle injury.
46:35Their day is done.
46:36And so, just when they finally get totally healthy up front,
46:40first game all season, they've had the five offensive linemen they planned on having.
46:44They're going to finish this game without two of them.
46:54McCarthy down the seam at two tall and picked off.
46:58Second interception for the Packers the last two drives.
47:02Evan Williams, second week in a row.
47:04He's got one.
47:10The finisher.
47:11They ought to call Williams.
47:12The interception has sealed the deal last week.
47:15And an interception late in the fourth quarter right here.
47:19They're going to try to have Jalen Naylor.
47:22He's the clear route.
47:23That's who the ball was intended for.
47:24And then you'll see Justin Jefferson.
47:26He's on the outside.
47:28He's running the dagger out like the big deep in cross.
47:31Typically, unless that vertical route just pops uncovered,
47:36it's not really where the ball is designed to go.
47:39You're trying to clear it out for Jefferson.
47:41But Jeff Halfley, this entire staff of Green Bay's defense,
47:46they have been fantastic all year long.
47:49And really, if you just take out that one,
47:52the tie on their record against the Cowboys in that crazy game,
47:5540 plus points, you take that game out,
47:58you can make an argument in the best, from a points perspective,
48:01this is the best defense in football.
48:03And the best defense the Packers have had in decades.
48:06There have been some good ones through the years.
48:09Malik Willis is into the game at quarterback with three and a half left.
48:12And Willis came on last week much earlier
48:15when Jordan Love left the game with the injury.
48:17Ran for a first down.
48:19That's his biggest strength.
48:20But he also, two for two, touchdown pass.
48:23And Matt Moffler made the point after the game,
48:25we don't win that game without him coming in and doing what he did.
48:28He was great.
48:29You know, and of course,
48:30everyone talks about the design run element that he brings.
48:32But that touchdown pass that he threw to Christian Walker,
48:36Watson.
48:37Mm-hm.
48:38I still don't know how that ball even got through all the defenders
48:41and just magically appeared in Christian Watson's chest.
48:44But yeah, those plays that Jordan Love had to go out to get checked for injury,
48:49he came to life and kept him in that game.
48:52LeFleur said he wasn't sure either.
48:53And he said, I'm joking, you were not throwing that ball to him.
48:56But I was.
48:57And you said, yes, I was, coach.
48:58And you just move on.
48:59Wow.
49:00As does Chris Brooks.
49:02Moves on for a first down.
49:04And a couple running backs getting the biggest opportunities of their careers today.
49:08Emmanuel Wilson goes over 100 yards in his first start.
49:12And Brooks has gotten more snaps than any other game in his career.
49:15Brooks in his second season with the Packers, spent his rookie year in Miami.
49:22Spot duty along the way, but a bigger role today with Jacobs out.
49:27They'll hope to have Jacobs back on Thursday.
49:29And that was part of the equation today.
49:32You didn't want to re-aggravate that and not be available for mini games instead of just one.
49:39And so made the tough decision, especially for a guy that is wired the way he is.
49:43Hates to come off of the field.
49:44Has not missed a game as a Packer.
49:46But a tough decision to sit this one out and they were fine without him.
49:51Down to the two-minute warning.
49:53It has been all Packers, especially in this second half.
49:57Life is very short.
50:01Yeah, on a State Farm game break coming up next.
50:04After the Vikings and the Packers finish things up from here at Lambeau Field.
50:08Joe, Greg, and Pam.
50:10And the veterans continue to support J.J. McCarthy on another frustrating day for a guy who said,
50:16look, it's been sunshine and rainbows pretty much his whole football career.
50:20Struggling for the first time in a big way here in the NFL.
50:24Play action.
50:25They're going to let Willis throw it.
50:26He's got Musgrave.
50:27Stopped by Pace.
50:28Going to have bonus coverage when this game wraps up.
50:31The Lions have cut it to three against the Giants, 27-24.
50:35The Bears have a ten-point lead over the Packers or over the Steelers as you look across the division.
50:40We will get you out to Detroit when this game finishes up.
50:47Talking about that tough schedule coming up.
50:50They don't have to wait long before their next test Thursday in Detroit.
50:53And then it's the Bears and just dotted with NFC North opponents.
50:57Baltimore's caught fire.
50:59Got to face them week 17 before finishing in Minnesota.
51:04But Baltimore is down ten to three like two minutes ago and they're now twenty to ten over the Jets.
51:10That's first down for Willis.
51:19Might have said Buffalo Baltimore.
51:20He's down ten to three now up twenty to ten.
51:24Under a minute to go.
51:28We're one kneel away and this is it.
51:30And listen, for everything the Packers have been through, the ups and downs,
51:35some weeks they look like they've got it together, other weeks disappointing losses.
51:39This one has to feel good for Matt LaFleur.
51:42This home fan base, they've had two rough home games in a row in losses to Philly and Carolina.
51:49To have a decisive division win at home, play well on both sides of the ball,
51:54is a big win for Green Bay for the rest of their season.
51:57The defense holds the Vikings in the second half to four yards on 15 plays.
52:02They get two takeaways.
52:03They get five sacks in this game.
52:06And a relatively stress free second half twenty three to six final score.
52:12Matt LaFleur's team moves to seven three and one.
52:17And watch closely as the Bears and the Lions finish off their games.
52:26That does it from Green Bay.
52:27Now we get you to Curt Menefee in Los Angeles for the State Farm game break.
52:33Thank you very much.
52:35Also, we'll be right back.
52:38For more information in the future, we'll be right back.
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